HealthWest is set to provide free daily virtual groups for those who are struggling with substance use, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order.

Beginning Wednesday, April 1, both HealthWest clients and the general public are invited to participate in the daily online groups. There is no cost to attend the groups, which will include substance use recovery meetings, daily talk sessions during which individuals can connect directly with mental health professionals, discussions on skills to help people cope with stress and anxiety related to the Covid-19 pandemic, and fun activities that will allow individuals to engage with others.

“Social isolation can impact your mental health and lead some individuals to cope through use of drugs and alcohol,” HealthWest Executive Director Julia Rupp said in a press statement. “These groups will help people stay connected and encourage healthy habits during this crisis.”

Officials at HealthWest—a Muskegon-based organization that provides mental health services, drug and alcohol treatment, medical and dental treatment, and more—said they want community members to know they’re not facing this crisis by themselves.

“Many people in our community live by themselves, including some of those we serve at HealthWest,” Rupp said in the same release. “We want to make sure they know that they are not alone even when they are physically isolated.”

The groups will be hosted virtually on Zoom and Facebook Live. Visit www.HealthWest.net/virtual-groups for a full schedule of available groups and instructions on how to join. For further mental health resources and information about HealthWest’s offerings during the Covid-19 crisis, please click here.

For those who need to reach someone immediately, please call HealthWest’s 24-hour mental health crisis line at 231-722-HELP (4357).